Patents by Inventor Tom Atkins

Tom Atkins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20110100270
    Abstract: A table with a metal top includes a leg assembly coupled to a table top with a single, continuous and sheet of metal forming substantially an entire uppermost surface of the table top that is flat, continuous and uninterrupted over substantially the entire uppermost surface. The sheet being folded down around a perimeter thereof forming substantially an entire outermost perimeter of the table top that is continuous and uninterrupted around substantially the entire outermost perimeter and extending downward and away from the uppermost surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Tom Atkins
  • Patent number: 6305742
    Abstract: A folding chair has a support frame with a back support portion and first and second side supports extending to form front leg members. A seat is pivotally coupled to the support frame, and configured to pivot downwardly with respect to the support frame. First and second rear legs each have an upper member pivotally coupled to a lower member. The lower members are pivotally coupled to the support frame, and the upper members are pivotally coupled to the seat, such that the first and second rear legs include three pivot points and the rear legs fold onto themselves to a shorter length in a closed position. First and second folding systems link the support frame, the fold-down seat, and the rear legs together. The first and second folding systems including four-bar linkage systems with four pivot points and four linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Mity-Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Spendlove, L. E. Tom Atkins
  • Patent number: 6279991
    Abstract: A folding chair has a four-bar linkage folding system with four pivot points and four linkages, and a kick-out tab for urging the four-bar linkage system, and thus the chair, to unfold. A support frame forms a first linkage. Rear legs are pivotally coupled to the support frame at pivot points. At least one of the rear legs extends upwards from the pivot point on the support frame to form an upper extension, which defines a second linkage. A linking member is pivotally coupled to and between the upper extension of the rear leg and the seat to form a third linkage. A seat is pivotally coupled to the support frame and forms the fourth linkage. The rear legs and seat pivot with respect to the support frame between an open unfolded position, and a closed folded position. The seat has at least one engagement surface which is engaged by the upper extension of the rear leg when the chair is in the closed folded position. A kick-out tab may be attached to the seat to provide the engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Mity-Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Atkins, Dale Spendlove
  • Patent number: 6234571
    Abstract: A folding chair has a support structure with a back support portion and leg supports. A stabilizing seat is pivotally coupled to the support structure. The seat has a seating surface, and at least one upper projecting alignment member configured to substantially engage a second chair to stabilize and prevent relative lateral movement between the two chairs when in a folded and stacked relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Mity-Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: L. E. (Tom) Atkins, David J. Laws